Healthy Garden—Healthy Home Retail Nursery Newsletter An Information Source for Retail Nursery Professionals and Their Customers

Volume 4, Issue 2 August 2009 Healthy Garden— BIG BAD GRASS Healthy Home by Vince Lazaneo, UCCE San Diego County Home Horticulture Advisor Helping to improve Most gardeners adapted to our local envi- recognize Pampasgrass, water quality in ronment and wind can Cortaderia selloana and carry their tiny seeds up San Diego County its cousin, Jubatagrass C. to 20 miles. The massive through the jubata. Both form size of each clump implementation of large mounds of long crowds out native species Integrated Pest arching leaves with saw- which also reduces wild- Management tooth edges topped with life habitat. Large stands practices. showy flower stalks. of pampasgrass create a These plants were intro- serious fire and flood It’s The Water duced into California dec- hazard. The can ades ago and planted in also harbor pests includ- That Connects Us! many home gardens be- ing rats and snakes. fore we realized their Removing Receive Newsletter Online harmful invasive nature. clumps of pampasgrass Pampasgrass and jubatagrass from To sign-up to receive this and Jubatagrass are well Pampasgrass (Continued on page 3) newsletter online go to

http://cesandiego.ucdavis.edu/ Update on Myoporum Thrips Research newsletterfiles/newsletter1085.htm by James A. Bethke and David A. Shaw, UCCE San Diego County Farm Advisors

Myoporum is a The thrips spe- popular landscape plant cies found on Myoporum throughout most of Cali- doesn’t have a common fornia, and different spe- name yet, but many of us cies/cultivars can be call it the Myoporum found as tall trees, shrubs thrips, which makes or ground cover. sense since it only at- Myoporum is popular be- tacks plants in the cause it can be used in Myoporum Thrips Damage Myoporum. For those of numerous landscape ap- us that are entomologists, plications, it is relatively There are more than 200 this insect has only re- Inside this issue: pest free, and it is species of thrips in Cali- cently been described, Pampas Grass 1 drought tolerant, which in fornia that affect orna- and its scientific name is Myoporum Thrips 1 this day and age is a mental and crop plants. Klambothrips myopori benefit to be sure. For more information Mound and Morris Don’t Plant a Pest 2 Unfortunately, for about pest thrips and (scientific names are fol- UC Publication Discounts 3 the last few years this their control, see lowed by the authors of plant species has been www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ the article that describes Free Workshops and POP 4 attacked by a small insect PMG/PESTNOTES/ them), see Materials called a thrips (singular pn7429.html. Thrips can www.mapress.com/ zootaxa/2007f/ IPM Kiosk Available 4 and plural word form). also vector numerous Thrips are small slender plant diseases, especially zt01495p045.pdf. insects that can cause a plant viruses such as the For a pest note on the significant amount of tomato spotted wilt virus Myoporum thrips, see damage to flowers and (www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ terminal plant growth. PMG/r783102211.html). (Continued on page 2) PAGE 2 RETAIL NURSERY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2

Myoporum Thrips cont. from page 1 www.cdfa.ca.gov/PHPPS/ppd/PDF/ County. In addition, we have con- treatments may work much better Klambothrips_myopori.pdf. In addi- ducted several pesticide trials to while allowing the natural enemies tion to the problems that California help determine the most effective to survive as well. We plan on test- has been experiencing with this active ingredients that can be used ing some of these systemic insecti- invasive pest, has now con- against this pest. Our early trials cides on Myoporum trees soon. firmed that they also have the pest told us that some pesticides are not Studies are underway to and are seeking help. very effective against the pest, but determine the extent of the suscep- Myoporum throughout the they can cause enough mortality to tibility of various forms of state has been severely impacted the pest that they permit plant re- Myoporum to the Myoporum thrips. by the introduction of this pest. Be- covery. We also determined that Cultivars of cause virtually all terminal growing there is a natural predator that oc- appear to be resistant to the thrips tips are affected and there is no curs within the twisted plant tissue, and may be a good replacement for time for the plants to recover from the minute pirate bug, Orius spp. M. ‘Pacificum’. While the tree froms injury, plant death is now common. Our trials have indicated of M. laetum, including the cultivar The terminal growth is stunted and that Myoporum recovers nicely with ‘Carsonii’, are affected, it has been twisted into galls that protect the treatment applications and that ac- reported that M. laetum insect from pesticide contact and tive ingredients in the pesticides 'Compactum' is resistant to the predators. Therefore, populations such as imidacloprid plus bifen- Myoporum thrips. However, it is a can build to high numbers, and we thrin, and thiamethoxam work well lower growing cultivar with much have observed that thrips popula- against this pest as a foliar spray smaller leaves. Until more suitable tions are continuous year round, application. Other treatment appli- resistant cultivars are available, we although lesser in number during cations that encouraged regrowth believe that treatment applications winter months. During yearlong and recovery of landscape planted will be necessary for survivorship of monitoring of the terminals of un- Myoporum were the following, this popular plant as a tree or treated plants in our studies, we abamectin, spinosad, acetamiprid, ground cover. Another less popular found that they become so severely and dinotefuran. We also deter- alternative is to replace Myoporum stunted that all the terminals turn mined that as a foliar spray, with an alternate plant type, one black and die. acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and that is similar to the qualities of We have been studying the dinotefuran caused the greatest Myoporum. A difficult task, to say insect’s biology and seasonal oc- impact on the natural enemy, min- the least. currence here in San Diego ute pirate bugs. Systemic drench Don’t Plant a Pest by Vince Lazaneo, UCCE San Diego County Home Horticulture Advisor Our mild climate allows us Plants that are invasive in eucalyptus – blue and red gum (E. to plant a wide variety of ornamen- one climate and habitat type may globulus and E. camaldulensis). tal plants from all around the world not be invasive in another. The in our gardens. Unfortunately, problem plants listed below have some introduced ornamental plants escaped from gardens and invaded don’t stay in our gardens. Their natural areas throughout southern seed, root or stem fragments jump California. Photos of these plants the fence and spread into natural and suggested alternatives can be areas. They grow fast and crowd seen at www.cal-ipc.org the Califor- out native vegetation. They can nia Invasive Plant Council website: block streams, causing floods and iceplant or hotentot fig produce so much biomass that they (Carpobrotus edulis) , Algerian ivy become a serious fire hazard in (Hedera caneriensis), periwinkle natural areas. (Vinca major), pampas grass The good news is that (Cortaderia selloana and C. most garden plants stay where they jubata), fountain grass (Pennisetum were planted and fulfill their in- setaceum), brooms (Retama mono- tended role. By removing invasive sperma, Genista monspessulana, problem plants and choosing suit- Cytisus striatus, Cytisus scoparius, able replacements, we can help and Spartium junceum), acacia protect California’s natural land- (Acacia cyclops), Mexican fan palm scape and reduce the risk of fire (Washingtonia robusta), Brazilian Don ’ t plant a pest! brochure and flood damage to our homes pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) , available in English and Spanish and properties. FREE through UCCE San Diego County Office. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 RETAIL NURSERY NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

Big Bad Grass continued from page 1 the entire crown and top section of Combination: the roots. Re-growth from lower In some situations, spray- roots is unlikely. ing a large clump may damage Removing the large mass nearby desirable plants. This can of stems and foliage with a chain be avoided by using a combination saw or weed eater can expose the of mechanical and chemical meth- base of the plant and allow better ods. First cut and remove the top access for removal of the crown. foliage of a large clump. When new This also makes disposal of the foliage has regrown to a length of removed plant more manageable. If about 2 feet, spray it with gly- a plant has produced flowers, it is phosate. Less herbicide is required Jubatagrass important to, first, cut and remove with this method but more than one the flower stalks to prevent seed application may be required for residential landscapes can help dispersal during the removal proc- good control. Monitor the clump for protect our native environment. ess. several months and retreat if new The plant can be replaced with growth develops. other ornamentals that have a simi- Chemical treatment: lar appearance: blue oat grass Spot treatment with the her- Recommended Alternatives (Helictotrichon sempervirens), Cali- bicide glyphosate (Roundup) can fornia fescue (Festuca californica), be used to control existing plants. deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens), Dust on foliage reduces the herbi- San Diego sedge (Carex spissa), cide’s effectiveness. Where feasi- and giant wild rye (Leymus conden- ble, first wash foliage with a forceful satus). spray of water to remove dust. Use Clumps of pampas and the concentration listed on the label jubatagrass can be physically re- for difficult to control weeds. Be moved, chemically treated or con- careful not to spray desirable California Fescue trolled with a combination of both plants. Photo by Ellen Zagory, UCD Arboretum methods. Plants should be sprayed to just-wet foliage, but not to the point Mechanical removal: of run-off. Glyphosate is absorbed Large plants can be dug by green foliage and moves down- out with hand tools. You can use a ward into underground stems and Pulaski (axe on one end and hoe roots. This occurs at a faster rate on the other), Mattock (pick on one late in the growing season so fall end and hoe on the other), or a application usually results in better long-bladed shovel. To prevent re- control than summer. Deer Grass sprouting it is important to remove Photo by Nikhil Joshi, UCD Arboretum

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FREE Point-of-Purchase Educational Materials and Training Workshops Available for Local Nurseries and Garden Centers! As part of the Healthy Gar- Tear-Off Sheet topics include; Gen- arrangements for your nursery or gar- den – Healthy Home Integrated Pest eral IPM Information, Ants, Snails & den center to participate in this pro- Management (IPM) outreach effort, Slugs, Aphids, and Preventing Irriga- gram please contact Scott Parker by research based educational materials, tion Runoff. phone, 858-694-2184, or email, and the fixtures necessary to display In addition to these Point-Of- [email protected]. them, are available to nursery and Purchase items, several educational garden centers throughout San Diego videos ranging in length from 15 sec- County. Materials include water re- onds to 3 minutes are available for sistant pest cards and informational use in your store. Both DVD and tear-off sheets. Pest Card topics in- video format are available. clude; Ants, Aphids, Cockroaches, Workshops for nursery staff focus- Earwigs, Fleas, Giant Whitefly, Go- ing on topics related to IPM and Wa- phers, Head Lice, Rats, Snails & ter Quality are also available for book- Slugs, Spiders, Termites, Safe Use & ing. Sample Pest Cards Disposal of Pesticides, Lawn Insects, For more information about Display Racks and Gardening with Good Bugs. any of these opportunities or to make

Touch-Screen IPM Kiosks Available Nurseries and Garden Centers The Healthy Garden/Healthy mation for the Cooperative Exten- Home Program, in collaboration with sion and Master Gardener program. the UC Statewide IPM Program, has Retail nursery and garden developed an interactive Information centers can use these units as part Kiosk. The touch-screen units, of their customer education efforts. which provide the consumer with UC Each unit is self-contained and only generated IPM information, are requires a simple electrical outlet for available for use for 45-day periods operation. We are looking for addi- during the initial test year. The IPM tional retailers to help in the evalua- Kiosk provides the consumer with tion of this outreach tool by placing a management tips related to irriga- kiosk in their store, nursery or gar- tion, fertilization, pest identification, den center. Interested managers pest management, least toxic control should contact Scott Parker, tips, safe use and disposal of chemi- [email protected] 858-694-2184, cals, and runoff prevention. Each IPM Touch-Screen Kiosk at the UC Cooperative Extension unit also has printer capabilities so Office to arrange for the placement that the user can print out useful management tips and contact infor- of a unit in your establishment.